Arizona School For the Arts expands
creates permanent campus

It is with the greatest pleasure that ASA announces some exciting and long awaited news! ASA has been looking for a permanent home in downtown Phoenix, which would meet the ever increasing demand for an ASA education, allow us to expand into 5th grade, and maintain our crucial partnerships. Early in the search process we established the necessity of staying close to our current location - a great transportation corridor, and near to our arts partners, the library, and of course, the First Congregational Church.

Last Friday our vision for a permanent downtown campus was realized when ASA closed on the purchase of two buildings adjacent to the church (on the same block!). In the immediate future we will remain in both of our current locations until July of 2010 at which time our Cable One lease will expire. We will then fully occupy the new facilities and continue our partnership with the church. ASA will occupy almost the entire block!

One of the most exciting aspects of owning these buildings is that we will finally be able to offer more spaces to new families. The school will add fifth grade and increase the number of sixth grade slots for the 2009-2010 school year; accommodating 100 new fifth-graders and 50 additional sixth-graders (100 total). Beginning in 2010, ASA plans to slowly expand enrollment in the 7th through 12th grades, primarily through the matriculation to higher grades of students from the larger lower grade sections. Ultimately, the school will reach a maximum enrollment capacity of 760 students and have four classes at each grade level.

Feel free to spread the news to the community and to potential ASA families.

New Facility Press Release

Arizona School for the Arts

Arizona School for the Arts is a non- profit college preparatory/performing arts charter school serving 370 students, grades 6-12, in downtown Phoenix. Founded in 1995, ASA offers a rigorous academic program that consists of core academic studies with a rigorous, diverse, and professionally-driven performing arts program. It is one of the highest performing middle and high schools in Arizona having received state and national recognition. The school offers a free public education to parents and students who seek performing arts instruction and academic excellence.

In addition to its own on-campus music conservatory, ASA enjoys longstanding partnerships with two of Arizona's premiere arts organizations - Phoenix Theatre and the School of Ballet Arizona - which provide facilities space, curriculum and faculty for its drama and ballet programs.

ASA students enjoy a small safe community which promotes excellence and active participation in the learning process.

Quick Facts: ASA has been labeled an "excelling" school since 2003 and was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School, by the US Department of Education in 2005. One hundred percent of ASA sophomores meet or exceeded standards on all portions of the AIMS test on the first attempt and 95% of ASA graduates pursue higher education immediately following high school . Student academic achievements include: Presidential, Flinn, National Merit, and Arizona Community Foundation Scholars. ASA students have also won prestigious competitions including: Prix de Lausanne; Utah Shakespeare Competition, Phoenix Symphony Guild Grand Prize; Phoenix Young Artist, and AriZoni awards.

TAKE SOME CREDIT AND HELP ASA!

If you pay Arizona state income taxes, you are eligible for a tax credit in the amount of $400 for a married couple filing jointly or $200 for a single filer or married couple filing separately. You can redirect those funds to ASA rather than let the state spend it in their general fund. Your tax credit reduces the amount you owe the state so it is essentially "no money out of pocket." This will not cost you one penny and it is most likely the only time you get to choose how your personal tax dollars are spent! Isn't that refreshing! Please take advantage of this wonderful opportunity and help ASA at the same time! Click on "Give to ASA" to get started.